EBMM Bass Just Because...

[Smallmouth_Bass]

There are any EBMM basses that you've just wanted because one or more of the following reasons:
1) You're favorite player plays/played one.
2) For the look or colour.
3) Sentimental reasons.

A bass teacher I once had - a great player and a really nice guy - had an all black SR5 just like this one, but one of the earlier ones without the natural/oil finish on the back of the neck. I've never really liked black all that much, but I love it on this bass.

I've also always really liked the natural finish look of both an SR5 and SR4 with a rosewood fingerboard. It's the classic Paul Denman (Sadé) look.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Sorry I don't understand your question.

Are you asking if there are any other basses I'd like to own other than EBMM because of the 3 reason you gave??

Is that what this is about?

 

[Psycho Ward]

I didn't know anything about EBMM basses and after I saw one I didn't like the egg shaped pickguard. I bought one purely in my quest to find a better bass. The first SR5 sounded so great straight out of the box I bought another, then another etc. To my my ears and hands EBMM's are my favorite.

I have 22 basses. 11 of them EBMM's, I think I'm a fan boy.

 

[CFA]

I don't remember the first time I saw a Stingray, either because I didn't realize it was a Stingray at the time (Too young) or because I was focusing more on the guitars at that point in my life, but for as long as I can remember I've always thought of the Stingray when I thought of bass, even though the first bass I ever saw was a red non-Music Man 8 or 9 years ago (I asked my brother later why the guitar only had 4 strings)

I don't remember how, probably looking around on MF, I was looking at basses (After I converted from wanting to play guitar to playing bass) and saw the bass that I had always lusted for subconsciously. I quickly found this website, and used the convenient guitar builder (Which I miss) to get a picture of my dream bass (I still have it on my computer) I kept trying to save up money, and once I had enough to buy one and bought an airsoft gun instead because I was used to getting ripped off at music stores (paying 1.5-2 times the RRSP) and I assumed it was the standard, and a EBMM SR4 would be around 3000 or 4000 dollars.

Then in June I had 600 dollars, and almost bought a Fender Mustang bass, 'cause I could afford it. Fender screwed up, and a guitar came instead of a bass. I immediately had an epiphany cause I was actually making money, and realized if I waited another month or two I could afford the bass of my dreams. So I started calling music stores all across the province, I found Musicstop and ordered the bass. I got a lot of crap from my family because I was waiting so long, but I didn't care and constantly said "I don't care if it takes 5 years to get here"

Long story short, The Music Man Stingray was always the only "real" bass in my mind, and that's why I bought one. And now I can't wait for my next EBMM.

 

[Kristopher]

Rewind to my first few years of playing bass: I was in my early twenties and playing a cheap Ibanez that I bought clearance at a GC sidewalk sale. My favorite thing to do at the time (even more than playing bass) was gawking at all the equipment I couldn't afford in GC or in Musician's Friend. I would carry those Musician Friend catalogs with me everywhere. By the time I got a new one, the old would be torn and smudged.

At some point I happened to earn the friendship of someone who made quite a bit more money than me. One day they asked me if I could get any bass, which would I get? After a few days deliberation, I said I wanted a Stingray. Why? Because an overwhelming number of pro bassist that I saw were using one. It seemed like the go-to bass when you finally "make it" and get the cash to buy what you want. Plus I thought they looked really cool.

So that week I was taken to Guitar Center to pick out the bass of my choice. I ended up with a 98 trans red Stingray. I was estatic.

Over the years I've gone through phases. There was a time when I put it away for a few years. I said silly things on TB like I wish it sounded like a Precision. I switched out the pickup. Then I had to send it in to EB to get some work done. It came back with a new body and a drop-dead gorgeous wood grain underneath that candy red trans finish. Every time I look at my Stingray I'm in awe of how beautiful it is.

Other basses have come and gone. Two Precisions, a Jazz, new pickups for the Jazz, an ESP, that Ibanez, and a POS Rogue. The more basses I play, the more I come to realize that Musicman basses really do have something special that other basses just don't have. I may not have fully known this before when I was young and inexperienced, but it's finally getting through my head now. Add that with the all the outstanding customer service I've received (Hi Dan!) and I'm a customer for life.

This may or may not be on topic with the original post, but I figured I'd share my Stingray's story.

Is that bass sentimental to me? Heck yes.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Sorry I don't understand your question.

Are you asking if there are any other basses I'd like to own other than EBMM because of the 3 reason you gave??

Is that what this is about?

I am asking if you have one of those specific reasons for wanting an EBMM bass.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Rewind to my first few years of playing bass: I was in my early twenties and playing a cheap Ibanez that I bought clearance at a GC sidewalk sale. My favorite thing to do at the time (even more than playing bass) was gawking at all the equipment I couldn't afford in GC or in Musician's Friend. I would carry those Musician Friend catalogs with me everywhere. By the time I got a new one, the old would be torn and smudged.

At some point I happened to earn the friendship of someone who made quite a bit more money than me. One day they asked me if I could get any bass, which would I get? After a few days deliberation, I said I wanted a Stingray. Why? Because an overwhelming number of pro bassist that I saw were using one. It seemed like the go-to bass when you finally "make it" and get the cash to buy what you want. Plus I thought they looked really cool.

So that week I was taken to Guitar Center to pick out the bass of my choice. I ended up with a 98 trans red Stingray. I was estatic.

Over the years I've gone through phases. There was a time when I put it away for a few years. I said silly things on TB like I wish it sounded like a Precision. I switched out the pickup. Then I had to send it in to EB to get some work done. It came back with a new body and a drop-dead gorgeous wood grain underneath that candy red trans finish. Every time I look at my Stingray I'm in awe of how beautiful it is.

Other basses have come and gone. Two Precisions, a Jazz, new pickups for the Jazz, an ESP, that Ibanez, and a POS Rogue. The more basses I play, the more I come to realize that Musicman basses really do have something special that other basses just don't have. I may not have fully known this before when I was young and inexperienced, but it's finally getting through my head now. Add that with the all the outstanding customer service I've received (Hi Dan!) and I'm a customer for life.

This may or may not be on topic with the original post, but I figured I'd share my Stingray's story.

Is that bass sentimental to me? Heck yes.

Great story!

 

[five7]

Named after my favorite car. 76 vette Gotta love that!

 

[strummer]

2) For the ... colour.

Yes.

 

[oli@bass]

2) For the look or colour.

Oh, yes. On order. Guilty as charged.

Why I came to EBMM in the first place? I can't exactly point the finger at it, but Flea and Tony Levin played parts in that. It was more about the sound: Most of the time when I liked how a bass sounded, the player had a StingRay. Also, there was this ominous club owned Sabre I once played in an open jam night, long before I knew anything about MM or EBMM. That thing stuck in my mind but I never could find another.

 

[DanGouge]

I have this long-running idea about eventually owning a bass made in 1978, same year I was born. That's the closest I come I think.

 

[Kristopher]

Great story!

Thanks!

 

[DanTheMan]

Definitely the first two reasons...
I can't remember when I first saw one either, but what I do remember is seeing the 3 pegs on top, 1 on the bottom setup and thinking 'wow that's weird' but weird in a good way. Also the teardrop scratchplate was striking.
Also around the late '80's/early'90's I kept seeing players in bands I liked with them, Flea, then Krist from Nirvana was playing one for a while, then the guy in RATM. They sounded great to my untrained ears even then.
So, when I switched back to bass recently I immediately thought 'Musicman'!
Have been so happy with my Sterling ever since.
Hats off to EBMM!

 

[koogie2k]

I got my first bass ever...Bongo HH....as a Christmas gift from my then wife years ago. She wanted to get me a guitar...saw the bongo...and new I did not have a "guitar" that looked like it and she bought it. Been hooked on the bongo ever since...that is how I got into EBMM basses. I played their guitars for years before.

 

[MrMusashi]

guilty as charged on reason 2: i ordered the 20th sr5 because it looked stunning!
as for the sound i knew id love it because its the sound i hear in my head when playing... was at a jam session earlier on and the bass was a sr4 and it owned its own space in the music. the bass drum could get as loud as it wanted too, the keyboard player could jump around with his left hand, but nothing comes close to that stingray presence!

MrM

 

[mynan]

There are any EBMM basses that you've just wanted because one or more of the following reasons:
1) You're favorite player plays/played one.
2) For the look or colour.
3) Sentimental reasons.

For me...none of the above. My EBMM journey has been, and still is, about the tone.

After years of making purchases based mostly on recommendations of players that I knew and respected, I finally started thinking for myself and ended up with my first MusicMan. A deal fell through on another bass from GC, so it was either get my money back and go home empty-handed or try to find something that they had in stock. I spent most of an afternoon pulling basses of the wall and found an SR5HH that I really liked, brought it home and my rig came alive. Finally, the bass tone that I had always heard in my head was coming out of my rig.

 

[iamcatwarrior]

I bought my first SR4 in high school because after playing a bunch of other basses at the local GC, I found that it was the nicest, best-sounding instrument that I could afford. I didn't buy it because one of the bassists from whom I draw influence plays one -- especially not then, because they all played competitive brands -- nor did I choose it for the natural finish (that actually came last in choosing a bass).

Then I got the SR5 HH last summer, which is the bass I wanted after college in the first place. (Why I defected to W*rw*ck is something I can't understand, just like I can't understand why I joined an organization whose most visible and recognizable public practice involves being its members into submission with lengths of rattan, PVC, and fiberglass wrapped in duct tape. Oh, well -- bye, bye, W*rw*ck and bye, bye, welts and bruises.) Again, the same finish options weren't immediately important.

Then after that, when I finally had lots of time and money (I have a nice job and no girlfriend or wife), I lost my mind. I started thinking, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if I had a...." and then bought some other instruments, with which I have recorded and gigged out numerous times. Being heavily involved in music outside of my work life made this possible. At least by now, the decision to stick to Music Man has been one of my best, and I've never really looked back.

Originally, having my first two Music Man basses is the result of finding the right instrument first and then expanding on it, because I knew that the second would do everything I wanted. Having the latter four is the result of finally being able to fully enjoy something that I finally have the time and money to enjoy and put to full use.

 

[fidooda]

Humm that's a good question, i was a BIG J bass fan. I borrowed a nice 73 version that sounded awesome. Couldn't get the tone i wanted out of a more modern Fender. was shopping around, found out EBMM made the Sterling which i tought was a great idea since i found SR a bit too bulky (yes i own an SR5, i know, i know). Found a great deal used and jumped on it. Key points that made me instantly love it:

-trussrod
-great tone
-unfinished neck
-a great web forum, that answered my questions and made me feel instantly welcome

I later realised that my sterling bass was made by the same guy that told Microsoft to go f*** themselves some years ago, which is a big plus in my book. Now i'm repeating myself as i told that story before.

To answer your question more directly...Looks and color for me first

 

[Grodon9999]

I bought my Bongo-6 HH for a few reasons:

1. I needed a new 6-string that sounded amazing and different from the basses I already had.
2. I wanted something made in the USA.
3. John Myung plays it. not really a DT fanboy but I'm familiar with his tone and style.

 

[superdick2112]

Hi folks, first time posting here.

What attracted me to EBMM basses was a Red Sparkle StingRay I saw posted on a local dealer's site a few years back. After staring at it for a week, I went to the store, negotiated a price, had them swap out the black pearl pickguard for one in white pearl, and I've been hooked ever since. I have been playing for 30 years, and my band plays hard rock & metal covers. Basses I own include the Red Sparkle EBMM StingRay, Rickenbacker 4003 in JetGlo, Rickenbacker 4004Cii in MapleGlo, Spector Euro 4 LX in white, Hamer Chaparall 12-string bass in Black, Fender Geddy Lee Jazz bass and a Custom Neo RockBass (a story on it's own). The 2 EBMM basses I dream about are indeed dream basses, because EBMM does not currently make either of them. They are;

EBMM Big Al Ball Family Reserve in Quilted Maple Pinkburst with Birdseye Maple neck & fingerboard

EBMM Sterling Ball Family Reseve in Quilted Maple Light Blueburst with Solid Rosewood Neck and piezo bridge